Part 7

Canadian Geological Survey. Memoir 45. The "Inviting-In" Feast of the Alaskan Eskimo.

The main dances of the Inviting-In Festival are totemic in character, performed by trained actors to appease the totems of the hunters, and insure success for the coming season. These are danced in pantomime and depict the life of arctic animals, the walrus, raven, bear, ptarmigan, and others. Then there are group dances which illustrate hunting scenes, like the Reindeer and Wolf Pack dance already described, also dances of a purely comic character, designed for the entertainment of the guests. During the latter performances the side which laughs has to pay a forfeit.

Elaborate masks are worn in all of the dances. The full paraphernalia, masks, handmasks, fillets, and armlets, are worn by the chief actors. They are supported by richly garbed assistants. An old shaman acts as master of ceremonies. There is an interchange of presents between the tribes during the intervals but not between individuals, as in the Asking Festival. At the close of the festival the masks are burned.

KEY TO PLATE XI

A--Outer Vestibule. (L[=a]´tor[)a]k.) B--Summer Entrance. (Am[=e]k´.) C--Front Platform. (['=O]aklim.) Seat of Orphans and Worthless. D--Plank Floor. (N[=a]´t[=u]k.) E--Rear Platform. (K[=a]´an.) Seat of Honored Guests. F--Smoke Hole. ([.R]a´l[)o]k.) Entrance for Gift-lines. G--Entrance Hole. (Pug´y[)a]r[)a]k.) H--Fireplace. (K[=e]ne´thluk.) Seat of Spirit-Guests. I--Underground Tunnel. (Ag´v[=e]ak.) J--Side Platforms. (K['=a]aklim.) Seats for Spectators. K--Chorus of Drummers. L--Feast Givers. (Nä´skut.) M--Namesakes of Dead.

KEY TO PLATE XII

A--First Movement. The Chief's Son, Okvaíok is dancing.

B--Second Movement.

KEY TO PLATE XIII

C--Third Movement.

D--Fourth Movement.

KEY TO PLATE XIV

Children's Dance.

The Chorus. Leader in Center Beating Time With an Ermine Stick.

KEY TO PLATE XV

Women's Dance.